bronxbull wrote:[quote="fourthirtythree"]This man was the rock that three European Cups, a couple of 6 Nations championships, Pro 12/Celtic/Magners, and that other European thing were built on.

Less lauded, less appreciated by the Irish public at large, more successful, more decorated, less "sung" than winners of "unsung hero" awards. It's a shame to see him retire right when he had worked his step and sprint into a lethal attacking weapon, though he leaves an understudy in full bloom (and copying his patented step).

If he says he's not coaching, he's not coaching. I join everyone here in wishing him every success in his future endeavours, a real hero of Irish and Leinster rugby.

Mike joined us in 2009/2010 season so he only played in last 2 European cups but we wouldn't have won them without him..[/quote]

Mike was playing for Harlequins in the Bloodgate match in '09 so perhaps he's giving him some credit for our first cup?

Whilst it might highlight the danger of reading into these compilation videos, people don't really respect his ball carrying enough. Seldom went backwards and seldom didn't lead to another phase. Seldom made a line break too though admittedly! But that's not what he was there to do.